Comparative evaluation of fiber reinforced composite resin over conventional band and loop for space maintenance in children: An assessment of patient acceptance and treatment outcome

Abstract

To compare the clinical success rate of Fiber Reinforced Composite Resin space maintainer with that of Conventional Band and Loop space maintainer in children of age group 6-8 years, to evaluate and compare patient and parent acceptance of both the space maintainers. Methodology: A total of 60 subjects (31 girls and 29 boys) of age group 6 to 8 years requiring space maintenance due to loss of primary molars. Group 1 and Group 2 were the children who received Band and Loop space maintainers and Fiber Reinforced Composite Resin, respectively. At the end of the first, third, and sixth months, the clinical success rate of both types of space maintainers was evaluated. Treatment acceptance during and after the procedure and on follow-up visits was checked using six-point Wong-Baker Faces Scale. Statistical Analysis: An SPSS version 25 statistical software package was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. The unpaired "t" test was utilized to analyze the quantitative variables that were compared between the two groups. Qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and proportion. Using the chi-square test, the comparison of qualitative variables between the two groups was examined. A 'p' value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study compared the success rates of 60 space Maintainers; Band and loop and FRCRs in 30 children in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Tertiary health care centre, Thiruvananthapuram. 60 fixed space maintainers, 30 band and loop and 30 FRCR space were evaluated at the end of 6 months. The clinical success rate was found to be 83.3% for FRCR and 81.7% for band and loop. However, there was no statistically significant difference. (p>.05). Patients and parents accepted FRCR than band and loop with statistical significance (p<.05).